Claiming 5 wickets and scoring a century in the same Test is something out of this world. But cricket is the game of uncertainty. Here, in the lush green field, anything can happen at any moment. Ben Stokes just did something unthinkable. The Test team captain of England got 5 wickets and scored a ton at the same Test match. Before Stokes, there were several other captains in the history of Test who made 100s and got 5-fers in the same Test. 

List of captains who scored a century and 5 wickets in a Test match:

1. Ben Stokes (vs. India, Manchester, 2025): 

Over the years, Ben Stokes emerged as one of the most inspiring captains in modern cricket. In a crucial match against India at Old Trafford in 2025, Stokes was in blazing form. He took 5 wickets in the first innings, and then with the bat he scored 141 off 198. In that innings, he smashed eleven 4s and three 6s. With the ball, they took the wickets of Sai Sudharsan, India captain Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, and Anshul Kamboj. Sudharsan was batting on 61 when Ben forced him to depart. 

2. Imran Khan (vs. India, Faisalabad, 1983):

In this historic match, Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets, thanks to a splendid Imran Khan. He performed gloriously not only with the ball but also with the bat. Imran, who is mostly known for his brilliant bowling skills and swings, in this match, swung the bat to amass a century. In the first innings, Khan, who was the captain of Pakistan back in those days, claimed 6 wickets in the first innings and took 5 in the second. The second inning was marked by Khan's all-around abilities. Along with taking 5 scalps, he played a brilliant 117-run knock. Pakistan needed only 7 runs to win the match, and they got it. 

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3. Mushtaq Mohammad (vs. West Indies, Port of Spain, 1977):

Pakistan was up against the West Indies, a prime team with Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd (captain), and Gordon Greenidge. In their backyard, very few teams were able to bother them during that era. Pakistan successfully did it because of Mushtaq Mohammad, then the captain of Pakistan. In the first innings of the match, Mohammad first went to score 121 and then bagged 5 wickets in the same innings. In the next innings he got another fifty-plus score. Pakistan, the away team, won the match by 226 runs. 

4. Garry Sobers (vs. England, Leeds, 1966):

A dominating West Indies simply destroyed England, the home team at Leeds. Garry Sobers was in a dream during the match. The Caribbean all-rounder and then the captain of the team sliced a magnificent 174 off 260 in the first innings, then he went to the field to create a 5-wicket figure. The West Indian legend single-handedly took away the entire lower order of the home team. The West Indies won the match by an inning and 55 runs. Sobers, in the second phase of the match, took 3 more scalps. 

5. Denis Atkinson (vs. Australia, Bridgetown, 1955): 

It was a high-scoring match at Bridgetown. The West Indies and Australia, both with their strong squads, engaged in an evenly fought match. There were multiple brilliant moments in the game, but Denis Atkinson was outstanding. Atkinson, the former skipper of the West Indies, in the first innings of the match, played a classic 219-run innings and then struck the timbers 5 times in the second essay of the rivalry. The match found no winner or no loser; it ended in a draw after an all-round display of pure cricket. 

Cricket has often resembled the traits of military service and has followed traits of discipline, courage, and commitment. There are various cricketers from all around the world who thrilled on the field and in military uniforms for their country. These individuals, some past and some still living, balanced the enormous demands of their professional work in defending their country as well as standing up and representing their country in the field of international sport. 

Relatively speaking, nothing shines brighter than one of the game's greats, Sir Donald Bradman, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. England's Hedley Verity was one of World War II's casualties; a talented spin bowler and gifted cricketer, he died in combat during that same conflict. India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who carries the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, provides insight into how well this country enjoys his role in bringing honor to the game and his country. 

For various reasons, the military is often a discreet cultivation ground for cricketers developing social capital, which is plainly displayed in the field. In Pakistan, cricketers like Majid Khan or Imran Khan had military family ties, whereas in Sri Lanka, cricketers such as Ajantha Mendis actively served. While their accounts are like each other as their own ambitions were being pursued, within them, they also represent the character of a timeless story of selfless public service for national pride.

When Duty and Sport are Shown to be Synergistic

The hard work behind trying to balance military responsibilities with the demands of professional cricket is remarkable. These athletes train in extreme conditions and mentally push themselves physically to grow their capacity to handle pressure - an advantage when playing any high-pressure match. They develop a safe and calm demeanor, which must be associated with being taught to think strategically, stay calm, and lead others in the sport and in their chosen military roles.

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For cricketers, the combination of professionalism in sport and selfless acts of valor are tied together. Their lives challenge generations to ask themselves whether their patriotism can be exhibited in more than one way. Whether it is saluting while in uniform or raising a bat after scoring a century, they serve as reminders that the ultimate contribution to a nation sometimes comes wearing both boots and spikes.